Diabetic foot is one of the most serious and practically untreatable diseases. It manifests itself, as a rule, 15 years after a person is diagnosed, which means that the blood sugar level is exceeded.
According to medical statistics, the syndrome is inherent in people with type 2 diabetes. We will talk about how to overcome this terrible disease at home, in our article.
Causes of the disease
Before discussing the treatment of diabetic foot at home, you should understand the causes of the ailment.
In case of a sugar illness, an insufficient release of the hormone called "insulin" occurs. Its main function is to bring glucose to the cells of the body. That is why insufficient insulin production is the cause of an increase in blood sugar. In advanced cases, blood circulation in the body becomes insufficient. The patient has a slow healing of wounds in the foot area, as well as a significant reduction in sensitivity.
All this in the future leads to the formation of trophic ulcers, which, with inappropriate and untimely treatment, develop into gangrene. Any, even the most insignificant abrasions and wounds can lead to this.
As mentioned earlier, due to poor blood supply, sensitivity is lost. That is why a person, as a rule, does not feel pain from cuts. The resulting ulcers in this case for a long time go unnoticed. This leads to late treatment and subsequent amputation of the leg.
It should be noted that ulcers form in those places that account for the entire load when walking. The crack that appears becomes a favorable environment for the penetration and development of bacteria. This leads to the appearance of purulent wounds, which can affect not only the surface layers of the skin, but also "wade" to the tendons and bones. Treatment of a diabetic foot at home, and with medical methods, is ineffective at this stage. In this case, doctors resort to urgent amputation of the leg.
So, the main causes of diabetic foot syndrome are:
- decreased sensitivity of the lower extremities (diabetic neuropathy);
- circulatory disorders in the capillaries and arteries (macro-and microangiopathy of the diabetic type);
- deformation of the foot;
- dry skin.
Diabetic foot: symptoms, diagnosis
Treatment is important to start on time. Pay attention to any changes in the foot area. It is necessary to beware in case of:
- the occurrence of swelling of the limb;
- loss of sensitivity in the foot;
- an increase in limb temperature (the leg becomes cold or hot);
- increased fatigue when walking;
- the appearance of discomfort in the lower leg during rest;
- the occurrence of burning, tingling, and other unfamiliar sensations in the foot;
- changes in skin color of the limb;
- slow hair growth on the legs;
- detecting signs of fungus;
- prolonged tightening of wounds or healing of cracks, abrasions, cuts.
Doctors (foot treatment specialists) recommend weekly self-examination and palpation of the feet. The procedure is carried out using a mirror. In this case, each site is inspected. Particular attention is paid to the area between the toes and heels. If any changes are found, you should immediately consult a podiatrist. With timely diagnosis, the doctor will recommend drug therapy, as well as the treatment of diabetic foot at home.
Diabetic foot: symptoms, treatment, stages, ulcers
It should be noted that the syndrome in medicine is divided into two forms that differ in symptoms. The disease can be neuroischemic and neuropathic.
Symptoms of the neuroischemic form:
- The foot is very cold (in some cases, in the presence of infection, there is an increased temperature).
- In the area of the lower leg, the process of hair loss begins.
- The sole acquires a bluish redness.
- Sensitivity is lost in the heels and ankles. In the same area ulcers appear.
- The ulcers are dry.
- Severe soreness.
- The skin around the wound is thin and atrophic.
Most often, the neuroischemic form is found:
- in smokers;
- in elderly people;
- in the presence of coronary heart disease;
- in people who have ever had a stroke;
- in individuals with increased cholesterol.
Symptoms of a neuropathic form:
- The foot is almost hot.
- Arteries can be palpated.
- In the area of the feet, the skin is of a normal or slightly pinkish tint.
- Ulcers appear mainly in places of greatest stress.
- Soreness is not felt.
- Wounds are wet.
At risk:
- people with type 1 diabetes;
- young age;
- alcohol abusers.
Treatment
Treatment of diabetic foot at home should only be carried out along with medications and procedures prescribed by your doctor.
The regular use of medicinal herbs will help relieve inflammation, swelling, prevent deformation of the foot, etc. It is important to observe all the necessary proportions when preparing the medicine, as well as undergo a full course of treatment.
If the skin of the foot is overdried, it is recommended to use olive oil, oil-based vitamin E, animal fats, and also lanolin in the form of an emulsion.
If you have dry skin, you should resort to treatment with sunflower oil or petroleum jelly. These funds can further aggravate the situation.
It should be said about the rules for visiting the pools. Before entering the water, it is recommended to lubricate the foot area with a thick layer of oily cream or oil. The fact is that with prolonged contact with water, the skin becomes the most vulnerable. This will undoubtedly “please” the bacteria. The applied cream will protect the skin from the penetration of microbes, as well as prevent the detachment of small scales.
Blueberries to the rescue
What are the treatments for a diabetic foot at home? Symptoms and treatment, causes and effects, of course, should be determined only by the doctor. However, at the same time, folk remedies can and should be used. Blueberries in this case have proven themselves perfectly.
It is known that this plant is able to reduce blood sugar and speed up the metabolism. It is recommended to eat three glasses daily, dividing the indicated portion by 3 times. Blueberry leaves are also useful in the treatment. 6 pieces are poured with a glass of boiling water and allowed to stand for 2 hours under a closed lid. Accepted for diabetic foot syndrome half a cup in the morning, afternoon and before bedtime. The course is a month. After the treatment is completed, a two-week break is made, then the “blueberry therapy” is repeated again.
Burdock - a universal remedy for diabetic foot syndrome
How to treat a diabetic foot at home with burdock? The plant can be used both in dried form and in fresh. A compress from honey and burdock helps a lot. For this, the foot is first generously smeared with honey. A plant is superimposed on top.
Before use, burdock is infused with boiling water, and the affected area is treated with a weak solution of manganese or furatsilina.
The tool is fixed with a bandage and changes daily.
Clove oil - an effective weapon against the disease
Clove oil is known to have a wound healing and anti-inflammatory effect. The product is sold in cosmetic stores and pharmacies. The oil is gently rubbed into the skin of the foot. The procedure is carried out daily.
Eucalyptus and honey to the rescue
At the pharmacy you should buy eucalyptus tincture. The same amount of honey is taken on a tablespoon of undiluted product. A gauze dressing is dipped in the mixture and applied to the affected area.
The composition can also be used for taking foot baths.
Dairy products will help with the syndrome
Yogurt and kefir are actively used when a person has a diabetic foot. Home treatment involves the use of only natural and freshest products.
So, in kefir or yogurt, a piece of tissue made of natural material is moistened and applied to the affected area. Change the compress immediately after drying. It is also recommended to add dried spruce or juniper needles (per 100 g of kefir 0.5 tsp) to powdered milk products.
Chamomile will definitely help!
To prepare the medicine, you will need a pharmacy chamomile (2 parts), rosemary leaves (1 part), mustard seeds (2 parts). The mixture is poured with 500 ml of water (cold) and infused for 12 hours.
In the infusion, a piece of natural tissue is wetted and applied to the wound. Such a tool will allow the ulcer to heal faster. Compress should be applied at night and replaced in the morning.
Wormwood as a medicine in the fight against diabetic foot
How else is the treatment of diabetic foot folk remedies? The effectiveness of these methods has been proven for years, but we should not forget about the medical treatment prescribed by the doctor.
So, wormwood is widely used in the treatment of purulent wounds. Only the plant should be collected exclusively in places not close to road routes and industrial plants.
Only spring wormwood, the length of which is at least 15 cm, is suitable in this case. After harvesting, the plant is ground and poured with water (10 times more than the wormwood itself). Boil the medicine on low heat 5 minutes after boiling. Use the product as lotions and compresses.
What other herbs are used to treat the diabetic foot? Treatment at home is carried out with the help of aloe. Juice plants soak affected areas. This contributes to the rapid healing of wounds and cuts.
Bread crumb will help!
What other ways are diabetic foot treated? Symptoms, treatment, and prevention of the disease should be discussed with a general practitioner. The doctor simultaneously with the use of drug therapy will not exclude the possibility of using alternative methods of treatment. So, how does crumb help with diabetic foot syndrome?
The crumb is removed from freshly baked bread, sprinkled with plenty of salt and chewed until it is wetted with saliva. After this, the product is applied to the foot and secured with a bandage or gauze.
What about honey?
Honey is the best medicine in the fight against diabetic foot. It is good to apply it to the affected area and fix it with gauze. Honey foot baths are also actively used. For their preparation, 2 large spoons of honey are dissolved in 2 liters of warm water. The procedure lasts 15 minutes and is carried out 2 times a day.
Diabetic foot medication
What is most often prescribed in the presence of a disease such as a diabetic foot? Signs, treatment of ulcers, symptoms are discussed only with the doctor, who, in turn, will advise taking medications that eliminate the very cause of the disease. These include: Fizikutan, Vulnostimulin, Delaskin, etc. These drugs can fight lower limb ulcers in people with diabetes. Also, the doctor will prescribe B vitamins and drugs containing alpha lipoic acid.
Health to you!